Mi Mariachi — Restaurant in Jersey City

Taqueria Mi Mariachi is one of the better take out options nearby. Space inside is cramped and narrow, with 1 or 2 tables and a counter with 6 or so seats. Food prep is mostly right as you come in, with a Mexican grandma and a helper running the show. The girl who takes orders knows a bit of English, but it does help to break out Spanish if you can. It also helps to be specific when ordering; for instance, I only got avocado on my burrito because I caught them as they were about to roll it up and asked them to add it in. One interesting thing is that them advertise some specialty Mexican bread; I passed because it was the end of the day, but I may check this out next time for a torta. Basically, if you're ever been to a bare bones taqueria, Mi Mariachi is a dead ringer--especially when it comes to the food.

The homemade tortillas are great! You wouldn't expect a small, mostly takeout place to go through the bother, but I thoroughly appreciate that they do. It makes a big difference, and their tortillas taste fresh with a great, soft texture to them. I got a chicken burrito, which also included lettuce, tomato, avocado, mozzarella, grated cheese, rice and beans. The burrito was sizable, but not ridiculously proportioned a la Chipotle. The chicken was good quality and moist, but didn't stand out too much--partially due to a smaller portion. The ingredients were all high quality, with the mozzarella being applied with a heavy hand. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but I personally could've done without it. Of the 2 sauces included, I was surprised to like the red sauce better. I'm usually a salsa verde guy and while theirs was refreshing, the red salsa had a peppery depth of flavor that surpassed it. At $8, this was a good deal for dinner that left me full and satisfied.

Mi Mariachi is a very good taqueria that I'm happy to have nearby. However, it is not destination worthy as some seem to be claiming here; it is only a gem when compared to the lousy food options nearby in Journal Square. My rating is reflective of stacking it up against not just local options, but NYC wide and elsewhere. Specifically, the best taquerias I've been to are in the Bronx and California, and I also know Queens also has some high tier options. I don't say all of that to put down Mi Mariachi. Given how some rave about the carnitas and al pastor here, maybe I missed their best. But for the time being, all I'm saying is that this is a good taqueria and a great option for the neighborhood; lets not make more of...

If you're looking for great Mexican food near Journal Square, Mi Mariachi is as good as it gets.

This restaurant is a family owned business. Just a few blocks away from the Journal Square Path train. Inside, they have seating and you can usually see a Mexicana abuela in the kitchen on the grill, so you know it's authentic.

They typically have waitress service for dine-in. Everyone is generally very nice.

Ive only had a few dishes here, but everyone single one tasted excellent from the tacos, to the burritos, and oh boy the fajitas are my hands down favorits.

You can typically expect a 10-15 minute wait for dishes to be prepared, which is well worth it. And the prices here are all fair, fajitas run $10 -$14 depending on your choice of meat.

With that said, they only accept cash bills and quarters. Yes, that means no dimes, nickels, or pennies - go figure.

Overall, Mi Mariachi has the best Mexican food for the money you will find anywhere near...

I live close to 3 Bean Coffee. A very oddly named Mexican restaurant but extremely good, a few blocks away and I think a not healthier. However, this being almost a mile of a walk is worth it and I'll be returning whenever the need to have ridiculously filling, authentic Mexican food. It's heavy and hearts and cost $7 for a burrito that will shut you up for hours and give you the nickname the porcelain punisher when it's done being digested. Don't walk here thinking there's going to be a huge place with waiters in bow ties. It doesn't work that way. Instead it's a wonderful hole in the wall that I am not quasi obsessed with. I had the chorizo burrito my girlfriend the carne asada. Both were fantastic. Their green salsa made me happy as well.

$17 bucks. Two...